News Summary
- The FIA has scheduled Audi’s appeal hearing for November 25, 2026, at 09:00 CET in Paris.
- Audi is challenging the stewards’ decision not to penalise Yuki Tsunoda for an additional formation lap during the Italian Grand Prix.
- A successful appeal could promote Gabriel Bortoleto from 11th to tenth, earning him an additional championship point.
The FIA has confirmed that Audi’s appeal against the decision not to penalise Yuki Tsunoda at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix will be heard on November 25, potentially changing the race classification and awarding Gabriel Bortoleto an additional Formula 1 championship point.
The hearing will take place at 09:00 local time at the FIA’s headquarters in Paris, with proceedings closed to the public and media. The governing body announced the date on November 12 and said its International Court of Appeal would publish a decision as soon as possible afterwards.
The case concerns an incident during the restart of the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, when Tsunoda was investigated after an additional formation lap was ordered.
Why Audi is challenging the Monza result
Tsunoda, driving for Racing Bulls, initially approached the wrong grid position before correcting his trajectory and stopping within his designated starting box, albeit at an angle.
Race director Rui Marques ordered another formation lap because he was uncomfortable starting the race with the car in that position.
Under Article B5.9.4 of the 2026 Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, a driver responsible for causing an additional formation lap must start from the end of the pit lane. Failure to comply can result in a stop-and-go penalty.
The stewards investigated Tsunoda but decided to take no further action. Their interpretation was that the extra lap had been ordered by race control rather than directly caused by the driver.
Audi disagreed, arguing that Tsunoda’s positioning had prompted the decision and should therefore have resulted in the prescribed penalty.
The German team lodged its appeal on September 9, three days after the race.
The original GRANDE PRÊMIO report on Audi’s challenge explained the dispute shortly after Monza. The new development is the confirmed date of the hearing.
How Bortoleto could gain a championship point
Tsunoda finished tenth at Monza, with Bortoleto immediately behind in 11th.
If the International Court of Appeal determines that the Japanese driver should have received a penalty and the classification is amended accordingly, Bortoleto could be promoted into the final points-paying position.
An unserved stop-and-go penalty can be converted into a 30-second time penalty after the race. Such a sanction would drop Tsunoda behind Bortoleto and several other competitors.
However, Audi has not yet won its appeal, and the FIA has not announced any change to the Italian Grand Prix classification.
The outcome will depend on the court’s interpretation of the regulations and the evidence presented by the parties.
The case is particularly relevant to Audi as the team approaches the end of its debut Formula 1 season. Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg are currently level on 14 championship points.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO’s analysis of Audi’s late-season improvement showed, the manufacturer has collected 11 of its 28 points across the latest five Grands Prix.
An additional point could also influence the constructors’ championship battle, where Audi is chasing Haas for seventh place.
What happens at the FIA hearing?
The International Court of Appeal will hear case ICA-2026-14 at the FIA headquarters in Paris on Wednesday, November 25.
The hearing will begin at 09:00 CET, corresponding to 08:00 GMT and 03:00 EST.
According to the FIA, the proceedings will not be open to journalists or spectators. The governing body has not specified when the final decision will be released, beyond stating that publication will follow as soon as possible.
The hearing takes place between the Las Vegas and Qatar Grands Prix, leaving time for the championship standings to be amended before the final two rounds if the appeal succeeds.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following the FIA proceedings and every round of the 2026 Formula 1 championship.
